Amsterdam

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Amsterdam

A September 2002 trip to Amsterdam by Grasshopper

A Draw BridgeMore Photos

Amsterdam is a city with many faces. I don't know that I can explain here how important it has become to me, but I can try.

  • 9 reviews
  • 9 photos

AmsterdamBest of IgoUgo

Overview

A Draw Bridge
I made my first business trip to the Netherlands a few days after 9/11. I made my last trip just a year later. The purposes of my trips were sometimes extremely difficult. While the bulk of my business was in Eindhoven, over the year I grew to love Amsterdam and found incredibly healing properties in the spirit and soul of this beautiful city. This is not about the Red Light District, or coffee shops (although they are certainly interesting!). It is about a place that grew to feel like home.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Amsterdam is one of the easiest cities to get around in the world. To say that the Netherlands is a "bike friendly" nation, is akin to saying that it's cold in Alaska. I've never seen so many bikes in one place in my life. The bike parking garage at Centraal Station is a multilevel affair, chock full of bikes. Bike lanes are serious business. Do NOT think that you can be forgiven by presuming right of way in one of these. Everyone rides; old, young, fat and thin. Children perch on little seats on the front of handlebars, and nobody wears helmets.

But, if you don't have a bike, hop on the tram. The trams in Amsterdam are really easy to use. And they go everywhere. Buy your strippenkart at Centraal Station and stamp it, or have the driver stamp it, each time you get aboard.

AmericanBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Hotel American
I've got to admit, I've slept around a bit in Amsterdam! This was my favorite place, but frankly is typically out of my price range. When I'm headed to Amsterdam, I check out www.hotel-booker.com and see if there are discounted prices available.

The American has HUGE rooms. A nice easy chair and ottoman furnishes the fabulous bay window nook. The king size bed with its luxurious linens is a nice departure from the typical single bed I usually get in hotels in my travel price range. The bathroom is ultra modern and has all the amenities found in a four- or five-star hotel. My room had a desk with a data port and extra supplies (handy as it was a business trip). The air conditioning was welcome. The staff was friendly and helpful.

Hotel American has a great cafe/restaurant attached. The art deco decor is beautiful and it has a unique reading bar where you can sit and catch up on the news while you enjoy an espresso or cappuccino. Mata Hari was said to have had her wedding reception here!

Finally, you can't beat the location of this hotel. It's right in the middle of the Leidseplein and the trams provide easy access to anything not within walking distance.

Very cool hotel.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Grasshopper on June 5, 2004

American
Leidsekade 97 Amsterdam, Netherlands

NH Barbizon PalaceBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Golden Tulip Barbizon Palace"

Barbizon Palace
I stayed at the Barbizon Palace on a last minute stop in Amsterdam and found a discounted rate on www.hotel-booker.com (about US$125). This is a very luxurious property in a less than optimal location. Just a couple of blocks from Centraal Station, and a stone's throw away from the notorious Red Light District, the very big hotel is part of a Dutch chain. The common areas are extremely luxurious. Your key card is required to operate the elevator.

The hotel has comfortable, well appointed rooms are furnished with dark modern furniture. The bathrooms are ultramodern and boast all the amenities you could want. The common areas are beautiful and top notch.

This area near Centraal Station is not my favorite for staying in. I would far rather prefer to be in the Leidesplein or Museumplein areas of town. Discounted rates offer an excellent value, though, and make this a property worth looking at.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Grasshopper on June 5, 2004

NH Barbizon Palace
PRINS HENDRIKKADE 59 72 Amsterdam, Netherlands
31 20 5564564

Hotel FitaBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Hotel Fita
Hotel Fita is a small, family run botique style hotel that offers good value, clean comfortable rooms, and an excellent location. A converted canal house on a quiet street two blocks from the Van Gogh Museum, this charming hotel has wonderful modern bathrooms (complete with the hotel's signature rubber ducky).

A very nice breakfast is provided for all guests in the downstairs breakfast room. The staff is wonderfully helpful and accommodating.

Hotel Fita is located in the Museum District. Take tram 5 or 2 and get off near the Van Gogh Museum.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Grasshopper on June 5, 2004

Hotel Fita
Jan Luykenstraat 37 Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 (0)20 679 0976

Novotel AmsterdamBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Hotel Novotel
Amsterdam is a huge conference and convention city. The Hotel Novotel provides comfortable accommodations close to the RAI. This four-star hotel has 600 modern rooms for the business traveler with all the expected amenities. Within walking distance to the RAI and trams to Central Amsterdam, close to parks and away from the Canal Zone, this is not a hotel for the traveler desiring to be in the center of the Amsterdam City action.

There’s a restaurant, bar, and gift shop onsite.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Grasshopper on June 5, 2004

Novotel Amsterdam
Europa Boulevard 10 Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 (20) 5411123

El Rancho - Argentinean BeefBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This is my favorite place to relax and enjoy a great meal in all of Amsterdam. There are a host of Argentinean Beef restaurants in the City but after discovering this one on my first visit, I was spoiled. If it's what you like, HUGE platters of different barbequed meats will be delivered to your table. But if you're not a beef eater, I've also enjoyed the best grilled salmon and grilled peppers I've ever had.

The service is quick and friendly. The place is obviously very popular with locals because it's always packed.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Grasshopper on June 5, 2004

El Rancho - Argentinean Beef
1 Spui Amsterdam, Netherlands

Sarang Mas Indonesian RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Rijsttafel, or Indonesian Rice Table, is one of the most popular dining experiences in Amsterdam. On my last solo trip, I decided that I had to be brave and try it. Even though I was alone, my curiosity got the best of me. A wonderful waiter helped me through the menu and I chose what appeared to be pretty much a basic rice table menu. What appeared in front of me were SEVENTEEN little bowls of wonderful flavors! Most had just a few bites of some unique menu item. It was truly a taster's delight!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Grasshopper on June 5, 2004

Sarang Mas Indonesian Restaurant
Rokin 84 Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 (20) 528-9590

Anne Frank HuisBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Anne Frank House"

A visit to the Anne Frank is an absolute must for any visitor to Amsterdam. I have heard people say, "I don't want to go there. . . it's depressing."

My response, "No, it's certainly very sad. But it's also very inspiring and uplifting."

As you wind your way up the narrow stairways and through the empty wood-floored rooms, peeking out windows to the sidewalk and canal below, you feel intensely what it must have been like for the families who lived in hiding for so many months. You'll pass through the famous bookcase and enter the "private", cramped rooms of the family; the bathrooms, the kitchen, and finally the room where Anne pasted photos to the walls and created a life for herself. The photos are still pasted to those walls. The museum is very well set up with video screens telling the story as you pass through the halls and rooms. Remnants of the day are in glass cases.

While there are often lines outside, waiting to get in, they move quickly. A visit to Anne Frank's house should be a requirement for every visitor to Amsterdam.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Grasshopper on June 5, 2004

Anne Frank Huis
Prinsengracht 263 Amsterdam, Netherlands 1016 GV
+31 20 556 71 00

Amsterdam Canal TourBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Canal boat tour"

Seven Bridges
Typically, there is a recorded commentary in multiple languages that plays as you pass along your way. They will point out the "narrowest house", the cranes at the top of the houses for pulling things up to the upper floors, and canal boats of interest. They will tell you facts about how much sewage gets flushed into the canals and how many bikes get tossed in every year. I think my most interesting tour was the one where the driver ran into two separate boats!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Grasshopper on June 5, 2004

Amsterdam Canal Tour
Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands

About the Writer

Grasshopper
Grasshopper
Keystone, Colorado

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